Local Meeting Roundup

Friday

Jun 15, 2012 at 12:11 AM

AUBURN — The School Committee, Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee were nearly unanimous last night in votes to support the School Building Committee’s recommendation that a two-story middle school be built on town-owned land on West Street, behind the Randall School Building.

The sole vote against the proposal was from Finance Committee member James W. Bonofiglio.

Maryellen Brunelle, superintendent of schools, said, “I am thrilled and overwhelmed by the support. I am very thankful for the hard work by the building committee, and want to thank the town administration, which has been so supportive. This was a true team effort.”

Selectmen and the three committees met jointly at Auburn High School, where they voted after hearing presentations from Dale A. Caldwell of Skanska USA Building of Boston, project manager, and Eric D. Moore of Lamoureux-Pagano Associates Architects of Worcester.

Mr. Moore said the building committee had whittled 12 options down to five, which he detailed. These included: an estimated $45.5 million renovation/addition at the current school building on Swanson Road; two $47 million options for a new school adjacent to the current building; a $48.4 million school on Pakachoag Hill; or a $41.8 million West Street school.

Projected reimbursement by the Massachusetts School Building Authority is at least 54.16 percent of the cost for any option. All five options will be sent to the Massachusetts School Building Authority, with West Street as the town’s preferred option.

On May 15, the building committee voted 7-3 to support construction of a school on the West Street site.

Last night, the School Committee voted to support the project and to ask selectmen to authorize the town manager to enter into preliminary negotiations with the Joel H. Prouty Lodge of Masons to purchase adjacent acreage to be added to the school site.

Mr. Caldwell said money for the land purchase had been included in the cost estimate for the West Street site.

Mark W. Imse, chairman of the building committee, said a preliminary meeting was held with the Masons, “who came back positive and said they’d be interested in negotiating.”

Selectmen also voted to support West Street as the preferred option, contingent upon successful negotiations with the Masons and all required approvals. The board also voted to authorize Town Manager Julie A. Jacobson to enter into preliminary negotiations with the Masons.

Edward J. Kazanovicz, assistant town manager, said it was too early to estimate the potential cost of the Masons’ land, but said it could be paid for through general funds, excess levy, or borrowing. Any option would require town meeting approval.

Finally, the Finance Committee voted 4-1 to support West Street as the preferred option for a new middle school.

UXBRIDGE — Selectmen voted 4-1 Wednesday night, acting in their role as water and sewer commissioners, not to charge a water and sewer hookup fee for the new high school.

The fee had been set at approximately $160,000 in January 2011, and a subsequent calculation based on actual use at the existing high school resulted in a proposed fee of about $90,000. Under the abatement granted Wednesday, there will be no charge for the hookup.

The original assessment specified that the fee would be paid when the project is completed, which is this summer.

Selectman Peter Baghdasarian opposed the abatement because the water and sewer account is an enterprise fund, which is intended to be supported by fees.

Also, selectmen voted 4-1 to approve a 2 percent pay increase for Town Manager Sean Hendricks, as outlined in his contract, which will bring his salary to $81,600 from $80,000 beginning July 1, according to Administrative Assistant Tracey Ante.

Selectman Timothy Rice opposed the increase.

— Ellie Oleson — Susan Spencer

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